Probable cause
The pilot's decision to take off with a tailwind, which resulted in the airplane not attaining sufficient airspeed for takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he was on his sixth chemical application load of the day. He had a full load of chemicals (500 gallons), which brought the airplane close to maximum gross weight. During takeoff the airplane did not achieve rotation speed before it approached the end of the 2,700-foot-long runway. The pilot raised the nose to take off attitude, the airplane lifted off then settled back down, colliding with a barbwire fence and an irrigation ditch. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator were substantially damaged. Another Ag pilot who witnessed the accident stated that the pilot had taken off with a 6-knot tail wind. There was no report of a mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA294 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 16, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Parma, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- 50S (50S)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Thrush Aircraft Inc S2RHG T65
- N-number
- N4036G
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2004
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.